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Smokeless tobacco products, supply chain and retailers' practices in England: a multimethods study to inform policy.
- Source :
-
Tobacco control [Tob Control] 2021 Nov; Vol. 30 (e1), pp. e45-e49. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jan 07. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: In England, many people of South Asian origin consume smokeless tobacco (ST). ST use can lead to oral cancer, which is disproportionately high in South Asians. Our aims were to assess the compliance of ST product retailers with statutory regulations and to explore the supply chain of ST.<br />Methods: We undertook a multimethods study between August 2017 and July 2019 in five English boroughs with a high proportion of ethnic South Asians. We purchased ST products and conducted field surveys with ST retailers at point of sale. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ST retailers and suppliers. ST packs were assessed for regulatory compliance, while quantitative and qualitative data triangulated information on retailers' practices and the ST supply chain.<br />Results: We collected 41 unique ST products, which included dry snuff, naswar , gutka , chewing tobacco and zarda . ST products were not registered, and demonstrated low compliance with health warning (14.6%) and packaging (56.1%) requirements. ST availability in surveyed boroughs was high (38.2%-69.7%); dry snuff, naswar and zarda were most commonly available. ST retailers demonstrated limited knowledge of regulations, and one-third were found to advertise ST at point of sale. Qualitative insights revealed illicit supply and distribution networks, as well as ST production in discreet locations.<br />Conclusion: ST products are widely available in England, yet non-compliant with statutory regulations. In order to safeguard consumers, in particular ethnic South Asians, stronger efforts are needed to regulate the supply chain of ST at both national and international levels.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: AM is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) senior investigator.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Subjects :
- Commerce
Humans
Policy
Product Packaging
Tobacco Products
Tobacco, Smokeless
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1468-3318
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- e1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Tobacco control
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33414267
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-055830